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ANDY REDMAN & ALEX BEARDSLEY

DANIEL KRIGERS

Money and marketing the key factors

Fancy a career break?

Interview - Page 3

Column - Page 4

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014

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An EXAMINER publication

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk

A kitchen manufacturer has announced a record start to 2014 – with turnover up by 36% in the first quarter.

Dewsbury-based Rixonway Kitchens said production had increased to more than 18,000 cabinets a week – fuelled by several new contracts together worth more than £6m to supply kitchens to affordable and social housing providers in London and the South East.

In February, Rixonway’s key installer partners fitted kitchens in the capital at a rate of one an hour as social housing organisations received backlog funding for improvements to their housing stock.

This strong business growth during the last year has seen Rixonway’s annual turnover increase from £30m to £35m with a further 15% increase expected through 2014.

To help meet the increased demand, Rixonway Kitchens has invested more than £250,000 in IT systems, new equipment and logistics, added a third production line and employed additional staff –including four kitchen designers in London and the South East.

The business is also planning further investment of more than £1m in 2014 as demand continues to

grow.

Rixonway Kitchens chief executive Paul Rose, said: “I am very pleased to be able to announce a really great result for the year and an exceptional start to the New Year with record sales and production volumes.

“This is down to a number of key factors, including our strong new business pipeline in the social and affordable housing sector, increased trading in the builders’ merchants and private development sectors and our focus on servicing our customers well to secure repeat business.

“A recent survey suggested that British manufacturing expanded faster in the first months of the year than anywhere else in Europe and we are definitely seeing signs of a more buoyant outlook for the rest of the year.

“I’m also delighted to be able to expand the number of apprentices working at Rixonway and to offer young people a range of rewarding careers.

“We have added another five apprentices to the workforce this year and they are proving to be a tremendous asset.”

Founded in 1978, Rixonway Kitchens is the only UK kitchen manufacturer working solely in affordable and social housing.

The company employs more than 500 people at its UK headquarters and manufacturing site at Shaw Cross Business Park, making it one of the ■■ Paul Rose, chief executive of Rixonway Kitchens largest private sector employers in Kirklees..

Bosses miss out on entrepreneural drive of employees Yorkshire firms are losing valuable employees and opportunities for growth because staff that are stifled by lack of creativity and freedom are leaving to set up their own entrepreneurial companies, a conference has heard.

The conference on “intrapreneurship” heard from Freeserve founder Ajaz Ahmed and Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, who has

injected a more business-led and intrapreneurial approach within the council.

He told delegates that local authorities should become more like businesses – but businesses should become more community-involved like local authorities.

He said Leeds had been a sleeping giant and by failing to act like a big city, had not achieved its full potential. Since

he arrived at the council, he had encouraged Leeds to think bigger, create hope, growth, optimism, buzz and deliver real change – with developments including Leeds Arena, Trinity Shopping Centre and Victoria Gate.

Mr Ahmed,who has strong links with Huddersfield, showed his intrapreneurial spirit when he successfully persuaded his then employer Dixons to set up

R

We supply appropriately qualified and skilled people to any workplace.

Freeserve, which at its peak was valued at £9bn.

He said that many intrapreneurs succeeded because they didn’t know the rules. As a young shop manager, he bought a computer, but no-one knew how to get onto the internet. He saw this as an opportunity to give Dixons a competitive edge and took his ideas straight to the top of the organisation.

Uni’s big event Huddersfield University underlined its status as Entrepreneurial University of the Year by hosting a special conference.

Delegates from all over Europe attended an event held as part of the Entrepreneurial University Leaders Programme.

Discussions were led by senior figures at Huddersfield, which is the Times Higher Education University of the Year and a holder of the publication’s Entrepreneurial University of the Year title.

examiner.co.uk

Contracts lift turnover for kitchens firm Rixonway

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£16,000 boost A social enterprise helping people with learning difficulties has been given a five-figure boost.

Cleckheaton-based Stanley’s Training Project has won a “Build It” Award of £16,000 from UnLtd, which provides support to social entrepreneurs in the UK.

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TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

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Strategy is just right for Propaganda

■■ Karen Fox (left), managing director of Entice Project, with (from left) Alan William, operations director at Camira Fabrics; MP Jason MacCartney; Colne Valley High School student Holly Whyatt-Brady; Darren McCluskey, manufacturing and finishing manager at Camira; amd Martin Jenkins, of the Textile Centre of Excellence

Enticing apprentices to take up textile careers A textile company is on track to recruit more apprentices.

Camira Fabrics, which has premises at Meltham Mills and Mirfield, has been providing work experience for students from a number of local schools through the Entice Project.

Now Camira is set to take on apprentices from Entice for the second year running using a tried and tested filtering process, which offers a build-up of exposure of students to the work environment through taster sessions and work experience – allowing students and employer to get to know each other before any apprenticeships are filled.

The aim is to minimise any drop out and has been described as a “try before you buy” process for both par-

ties.

Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney attended one of the sessions and spoke to all the students working across several different departments at Camira.

He said: “One of my main focuses is local jobs and apprenticeships.

“People say that we don’t manufacture anything in Britain any more, but right here in my constituency is an international company doing just that and addressing their succession planning by implementing a locally devised apprenticeship programme.”

Mr McCartney said that 52% of the workforce in textiles are aged 45 and over – meaning it is vitally important to introduce apprentices to the industry.

Alan Williams, operations director of Camira Fabrics, said: “We’ve been delighted with the apprentices recruited through Entice last year and are keen to replicate this success.

“Our two ex-Shelley College students have been greeted with great enthusiasm throughout our workforce, as Entice provided us with absolutely the right candidates. Everyone is on board.”

Martin Jenkins, of the Huddersfield-based Textile Centre of Excellence, also attended to see the potential new recruits in action.

The centre provides accredited training for apprentices across all areas of textiles.

The centre works with Entice on the Camira programme and has also

partnering with Entice on a wider remit.

Karen Fox, managing director of Entice, said the aim was to address three main issues – promoting apprenticeships as an equally viable career path when all the focus has been on post-16 students to go into further and higher education; simplifying the application process; and providing clear signposting.

She said: “At Entice, we’re clear.

“We keep it simple. Employers have apprenticeship vacancies – we have access to a recruitment pool of thousands through our direct links with schools.

“We bring both parties together.

“Job done!”

A branding and creative agency has been recognised for its work with a Huddersfield-based client.

Propaganda took top prize in the Strategy of the Year category at the Management Consultancies Association Awards for its work with longstanding client and fleet management specialist FMG. Propaganda, based in Leeds, but founded in Huddersfield, outshone the other shortlisted organisations, including KPMG for their work with Phillip Morris International, Boxwood with Travelex and Prederi with the Department for Health.

As a part of the rigorous judging criteria, Propaganda entered a detailed submission about the steps taken to achieve FMG’s objectives.

A second stage involved being interviewed by an expert panel, which was attended by Propaganda directors Julian Horberry and Craig Harrold, as well as FMG chief executive John Catling.

Propaganda has worked with FMG for 10 years to provide strategic advice and brand direction.

The agency was rewarded in 2007 with another MCA Award for marketing strategy.

Throughout the partnership, Propaganda has worked across various departments within FMG, including operations, sales and HR, As part of the submission process, Mr Catling said: “Propaganda understand our business, culture and customers, but it’s the objective challenge backed up by rigorous knowledge and research, which combined, has helped us focus and make the right strategic decisions.”

Mr Harrold said: “For us, membership of the MCA is an important endorsement of our advice and processes and a clear differentiator between us and competitors.

“Membership demonstrates to our clients that we have accredited and respected ways of working in place to deliver fact-based counsel to the brands we work with.

“This award represents another accolade to add to our collection and is testament to the results we deliver for our clients.”

Propaganda has carried out projects for major names including GHD, Jacques Vert Group, Republic, Greggs, Seabrook Crisps and The Car People.

World Cup worries for Yorkshire’s smaller businesses

■■ Mike Randall, of Close Brothers Asset Finance

This summer’s World Cup could have a negative impact on Yorkshire’s small and medium-sized firms, it is claimed.

A survey by Close Brothers Asset Finance found that 57% of SME owners and managers across the region expect their businesses to be hit.

Of this figure, 31% are worried about increased staff absenteeism and a further 27% are concerned that they will see a drop in productivity during the football tournament in Brazil.

The findings come in the latest Close Brothers Business Barometer, a quarterly poll of SME owners and senior

management that aims to gauge sentiment on a number of key issues.

Mike Randall, chief executive officer at Close Brothers Asset Finance, said: “With the competition taking place in Brazil this year, many of the matches will be televised late at night in the UK and as a result, some fans may be tempted to take unauthorised absences.

“The relaxed licensing laws for England games will allow bars to stay open later and this will have an impact felt by small businesses, as major sporting events have an unparalleled ability to

distract both employees and clients.”

The survey also revealed that 45% of local bosses expect to receive special requests for annual leave, but found that 60% would be willing to accommodate flexible working hours or shift changes to allow staff to watch games.

Mr Randall said: “The tournament is a celebrated global event, but it’s understandable that many bosses in Yorkshire and Humberside are concerned as it comes at a time when many are just starting to experience growth.

“Businesses in the region need to take steps to protect themselves. It is

promising to see that many are already prepared to introduce flexible working hours, but likewise it is important to recognise how business owners can use the tournament to benefit their business.

“Small perks in the workplace can greatly increase employee morale and job satisfaction, so employers could consider introducing flexible working hours and other steps such as introducing a TV to the staff common area as a way to create a better working environment and potentially boost productivity and job satisfaction in the long term.”

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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014

Support for firms on those big issues Finance and marketing are two of the most crucial elements to get right when running a small business.

Now business partners Andy Redman and Alex Beardsley have pooled their talents in those two key areas to set up a company aiming to help small and medium-sized firms make the most of the opportunities presenting themselves as the economic recovery gains ground.

Cleckheaton-based ABL Business provides support for SMEs drawing on Andy’s experience in the areas of invoice finance and asset finance along with Alex’s skills in the area of marketing.

The business was set up only last October in offices at Moorland Mills Business Centre, but has already recruited a full-time apprentice and completed assignments for a number of clients across West and South Yorkshire – and further afield.

Says Andy: “A lot of companies stopped investing during the recession, so they have no money to do so now. They have also cut down no marketing costs.

“Now there is a bit of optimism out there and they are looking to grow their businesses.

They just need some help to get things moving.”

Andy and Alex speak from experience. Both had their own businesses – Andy as a commercial finance broker and Alex working as a freelance marketer – when their paths crossed through the LinkedIn network.

Andy called in Alex to do some marketing for his business – and both realised that they were offering complementary services directed at the same market, businesses with turnover of £500,000 to £5m.

Says Alex: “Many SMEs are really good at what they do – and have been doing for some time. They aren’t always so good at marketing to get the sales or knowledgeable about where to go for funding such as asset finance or commercial property loans.

“You can spent a lot of ime on people who waste your time, promise you the earth and deliver next to nothing. We are about putting the customer first on the premise that if your business gains, our business gains.”

Alex, who often sits in on client board meetings, says: “It often emerges that a company needs finance to improve its marketing efforts; and if Andy is looking at helping a firm seek finance, he has to look at where the sales are coming in and where any weakensses lie.

Together, we provide a strategy for them.”

Alex says the potential for ABL Business is enormous. “There is a huge market place out

there,” she says. “Some 95% of businesses fit expertise. our criteria. We want to work with the ones Both Andy and Alex are busy people, but where we can make a difference. We want to still find time for other pursuits. build relationships with the companies we Andy, whose first paid job was as a shelfwork with rather than being just another busi- stacker with Tesco, plays football for Otley ness on a tender list.”

Town and enjoys ski-ing holidays in Italy and Andy, who hails from Otley, admits: “I got France, He is married to Angela and the couinto the financial industry because I was look- ple have a daughter, Anna, five. ing for a job with a company car!”

Alex, who lives with partner Paul and chilInitially, he worked for Lombard Asset dren Ella, 12, and Louis, two, sings with a band Finance and then Abbey Business before called Last Time Standing and enjoys family Work: Commercial finance and margoing into invoice finance with Cattles and holidays camping and caravanning. keting support later Barclays, where he handled asset-based She says: “I’ve worked from the age of 14 to Site: Moorland Mills, Law Street, lending as part of a 20-strong team. make some money and I’ve had lots of jobs, Cleckheaton “It gave nme a good grounding in all sorts of including working as a cleaner, a waitress and finance,” he says. “I covered the whole board.” behind the bar in a pub.”

Phone: 01274 877443 Andy set up his own business in Otley in Both Andy and Alex are now enjoying workEmail: info@abl-business.co.uk 2011 before teaming up with Alex and moving ing in partnership at ABL Business. “The best Web: www. abl-business.co.uk to their current premises. thing about it is meeting people in business Alex, who comes from Wyke, combined and helping them,” says Andy. “It’s good going motherhood and studies to excel in the field of out to see people and learning about their marketing. “I had a daughter when I was 16,” businesses.” she says.

Alex adds: “Every business has its problems.

“I went to college to do law, media studies Sometimes it is relatively easy to identify and psychology – then asked myself what kind where the problems lie and what steps are of job I could do with that! needed to tackle them.”

“Someone suggested marketing and I did a degree at Huddersfield University. I loved it.”

Alex did her work experience at a full service marketing agency – during which time she was promoted twice.

She went on to gain a first class degree with honours and win a prize for being the top student in her year.

She took a marketing post at the Grange Moore headquarters of womenswear retailer Bonmarche before undertaking a strategic marketing placement with Bradford University through the Knowledge Transer Partnership.

Alex went on to get a graduate diploma in marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

In March, 2011 – and five months pegnant with her second child – she decided to launch her own business.

Last year, Alex won the Duke of York’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which was presented at Buckingham Palace. And she hasn’t stopped there. Currently, she’s taking a degree in digital marketing online to add to her ■■ Andy Redman and Alex Beardsley, of ABL Business in Cleckheaton

ABL Business

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TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

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Roadshow puts focus on Pakistan A Yorkshire-based charity has launched a UK-wide roadshow promoting social enterprise opportunities in Pakistan.

The Opportunity Pakistan Report by charity QED is the result of an international commission which travelled to Pakistan last September to explore social entrepreneurship and innovation and help shape new initiatives to boost Pakistan’s social economy.

The 15 commissioners convened by i-genius were from a mix of science, academia, finance, enterprise and industrial backgrounds to assess first-hand the potential for social innovation in Pakistan.

The commission, which lasted eight days and was led by i-genius chief executive Tommy Hutchinson, travelled across Pakistan visiting the major cities of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad as well as the Punjab.

Dr Mohammed Ali, chief executive of QED, who was among the commissioners, said: “It’s a great honour to launch this UK roadshow here in ‘Little Pakistan’ before it continues to Manchester, London, Cambridge and other parts of the world.

“Our findings will help explore ways to utilise social entrepreneurship to help poverty stricken regions of the country.”

Pakistan suffers from inequalities, limited energy supply and poor infrastructure. Leaders and delegates from all sectors of society, including academics, social entrepreneurs, young people and business leaders gathered at QED’s headquarters in Bradford to discuss the findings from the Commission.

The Report covers issues such as accessibility to education, health, IT, micro finance and business support. It includes recommendations for political leaders, corporations, NGOs, finance and by specific sections of society.

Dr Ali said: “This work is about sharing better practice from other parts of the world, and QED-UK has over a decade of experience working towards helping to build equal opportunities in society. Social enterprise is a growing sector in the UK and internationally, and it offers a very powerful mechanism for economic regeneration at a grass roots level.”

Quoted firms see profit alerts rise

Despite the positive news about the UK economy the number of profit warnings in Yorkshire increased in the first quarter of this year, according to EY’s latest Profit Warnings report.

The region’s quoted companies issued eight profit warnings in the first quarter of 2014, up from three in the previous quarter to the same number as the corresponding period in 2013 when the economic outlook had more clouds on the horizon.

Warnings came from businesses in industrial engineering and food and drug retailers – both with two warnings each – with software and computer services, technology hardware and equipment, chemicals, oil equipment services and distribution each issuing one warning.

Hunter Kelly, restructuring partner at EY in Yorkshire, said: “Confidence is unquestionably returning to the wider UK economy, but the reality for many Yorkshire and North East-based PLCs is very different in what remains a consumer-led recovery.

“Pricing pressures, increased competition across a number of sectors and delayed contracts have all been cited by Yorkshire and North East businesses as reasons for profit warnings during the quarter.

“These issues, alongside the strong pound impacting exports, continue to challenge the Yorkshire and the North East’s industrial sector businesses. It is speculation if these increased pressures also reflect the restricted investment by UK businesses over the past five years.

“The rest of 2014 looks set to bring new challenges, which together with low inflation, will test earnings forecasts. Yorkshire and North East businesses should think carefully about capital needs and allocation in the next 12 to 18 months and how they will leave themselves operationally and financially agile enough to respond to growth opportunities as they arise.”

KIRKLEES BUS

Risks and rewards of taking a break As working lives become more hectic, employees taking career breaks or sabbaticals are becoming increasingly common.

When an employee takes a sabbatical, it is critical that their employers consider the following issues: Holiday and benefits – Where the contract of employment continues during the sabbatical period, employees will continue to accrue their statutory entitlement to be paid annual leave.

For some employers, this will make the sabbatical arrangement unattractive, but there are ways around this problem. For example, where the sabbatical period falls within the company’s holiday year, the sabbatical agreement should specify when holiday is to be taken. If the sabbatical is paid, holiday will normally be taken during the sabbatical period, but if it is unpaid, employees can be asked to take their holiday before or after the sabbatical period.

Any other contractual benefits to which the employee is entitled when at work may be suspended or varied while taking an extended period of leave. This is open to negotiation between the employee and employer.

Bonuses – Employers should not assume that employees who are absent are not eligible for bonuses if the payment itself falls during the period of absence. If a bonus is discretionary, but refers in any way to the individual

EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Daniel J Krigers achievements of that employee while they were at work, or if it is not discretionary but covers any period during which the employee was at work, then appropriate consideration should be given to whether the bonus should be paid.

Promotion and reviews – If a pay or promotion review occurs while an employee is on sabbatical, the employer should not ignore the absent employee, because to do so could amount to indirect discrimination or even a breach of the implied contractual term of trust and confidence.

Document Ref : 2289503144 Page 1 of 2 OFFDJK-4 Termination of employment – It is not unusual for an employer to insist on a claw-back provision in the agreement, which specifies that the employee should repay any money, or the value of any non-statutory benefits received while absent, if they either do not return, or do not remain in that

employment for a given period of time after their return.

Eligibility – Most employers will not allow the option of an extended career break to all of their employees. There will quite often be a service requirement for eligibility. In selecting a period of length of service, an employer should consider what the aim is of having a service requirement and be able to justify the period selected.

Prudent employers will also specify that the option of an extended career break is discretionary and that, regardless of eligibility, the employer reserves the right to refuse a request, on the grounds of business reasons.

If the employer needs to fill the post of the employee on the career break, it should do so in the same way as it would fill the post of an employee on maternity leave; that is, under a fixedterm contract solely for the purpose of covering for the absent employee.

Daniel J Krigers is an employment law solicitor at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

Lawrence adds to his haul of top awards Batley-born businessman Lawrence Tomlinson has been named Entrepreneur of the Year in a regional competition.

Mr Tomlinson, chairman of Leeds-based LNT Group, received the accolade at the Insider Yorkshire Entrepreneur Awards.

The awards night brought together more than 150 business people across the region to celebrate Yorkshire’s entrepreneurial flair.

Mr Tomlinson, who has just stepped down as Entrepreneur in Residence at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills , said: “I’m delighted to have won the award, it is a real compliment. It’s been a busy year with many new opportunities for the LNT Group, such as the launch of our Ginetta Racing Drivers Club, as well as my job in Government.

“I worked hard at the Department for Business to break down the barriers to growth and ensure businesses are able to flourish. In particular, I truly hope by publishing the Tomlinson Report and exposing where

■■ LNT Group chairman Lawrence Tomlinson with his trophy

banks have not been treating businesses fairly, that I have helped businesses across the country. We’ve got an exciting year ahead at the LNT Group, which continues to go from strength to strength, so I’d like to thank everyone in the group for their hard

work.”

The judges noted the success of the LNT Group – which includes Ginetta Cars as well as construction, care homes and speciality chemicals – and recognised his continuous investment in his business portfolio

through new developments and skills training. They also recognised the importance of his work with Government ministers in helping SMEs to kick start the economy.

It has been another impressive year for Mr Tomlinson, who attended Batley Grammar School and studied engineering at Huddersfield Technical College before gaining a degree at Bradford.

He worked at Holset, now Cummins Turbo Technologies and undertook its graduate management programme before a change in direction and a new career as “serial entrepreneur”.

His other honours include being named the Institute of Directors Overall Director of the Year 2013 and three honorary doctorates in engineering from Leeds Metropolitan University, Huddersfield University and Bradford University.

Asked his advice on getting ahead in business, he said: “Do something today that makes a difference.

Don’t wait for that big idea because it may never come.”

Consult hat-tric

An international rec based in Brighouse h three separate catego Recruiter Awards for E Going up against so panies from across th will compete for Best ment Agency, Best Te Agency and Best Em Team at the glitzy cere Transline, which than 70 locations acro those acknowledged pendent judges as th year’s selection of ent The group has alrea start to the year for T internationally into co land and potential exp Transline now hope trophies at one of the tigious and annually the recruitment calen Paul Beasley, joint Transline Group, said grown our footprint in tor, but we have diver From home delivery we have grown signi fully into new areas.”

Transline Group’s e a wide range of indus Jon Taylor, joint ma “The shortlistings are work of our team acro “It has been a peri growth and internatio business and we have excellent customer se different sectors while rate.”

Transpo on righ

Transport and log fords Group has been award.

The company, wh Gelderd Road Industr competing for a Moto the partnership categ The category look ships between opera how the relationship more than just one o er.

Judges will be look has successfully wor partner to improve c reached and exceede the partnership and standing, mutually be The awards, now i known as the indust brate and reward inn efficiency to the coun port organisations.

The shortlist and w experts drawn from t ners will be announc July 2 at Grosvenor H Bedford managing hauer said: “We are d shortlisted for a Moto “ The team work t year round and it wou could be recognised such a prestigious ind

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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014

SINESS NEWS

tancy’s ck hope

cruitment consultancy has been shortlisted in ories at the prestigious Excellence 2014. ome of the finest comhe industry, Transline International Recruitemporary Recruitment mbedded Recruitment emony on May 7. operates from more oss the UK, was among d by a panel of indehe very best from this tries. ady had an impressive Transline – expanding ountries such as Thaipansion into the USA. es to land a hat-trick of e industry’s most presanticipated events in ndar. managing director at d: “Not only have we n the recruitment secrsified our offering too. y to in-house training, ificantly and success-

expertise ranges across stry sectors. anaging director, said: e testament to the hard oss the entire network. iod of unprecedented onal expansion for our e continued to deliver ervice across a range of e developing at such a

ort firm ht road

gistics specialists Bedn shortlisted for a top

hich has operations at rial Estate in Birstall, is or Transport Award in gory. ks at genuine partnerator and customer and p is demonstrated as of contract and suppli-

king at how Bedfords rked together with a customer satisfaction, ed objectives set out for demonstrated a longeneficial relationship. in their 29th year are try “Oscars” and celenovation, service and ntry’s top motor trans-

winners are chosen by the industry. The winced at a ceremony on House, London. g director Steff Pfadendelighted to have been or Transport Award. tremendously hard all uld be wonderful if this d and celebrated with dustry award.”

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Can-do attitude from Lattitude7 A company providing training and development services has won a monthly business award.

Brighouse-based Lattitude7 was named winner of the Business of the Month Award run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith.

Lattitude7 specialises in training and development services including, personal development, team building, ethics and integrity, coaching and business mentoring.

The business was formed in September, 2010, by managing director Dr Martin Haigh, a chartered engineer by profession who had previously worked abroad for a large global company and spent much of his time in Germany.

During 2009 with the world economy struggling, Martin took the brave decision to set up his own business.

Initially carrying out some pro-bono work in Calderdale, he started to win paid work for small and medium-sized enterprises, providing services such as presentations skills, team building and business process improvement.

The business made a profit in the first year of trading and has continued to grow steadily since. As a result of a number of high-value contracts, turnover and profit have increased significantly with a number of projects for high-profile organisations, including Manchester Metropolitan University, Calderdale Council, the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturing Institute among others.

Martin has been supporting companies overseas and has recently secured

■■ Andrew Sugden (centre), of Eaton Smith, presents the Business of the Month Award to Martin Haigh (second right), of Lattitude7, with (from left) Carl France, of Sanderson Associates; John Moore, of Bramleys; and Andrew Choi, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

a contract with Birmingham City Council.

The judging panel was impressed by the courage Martin demonstrated in leaving his job during difficult economic times to set up his own business to do something he was very passionate about.

Although he works for himself, Martin uses a number of local contractors and associates when necessary and is very active in promoting the business

within the local community – carrying out a great deal of pro-bono work for apprentices and schools.

Martin said “I am absolutely delighted to be given this award. I work hard to support the local business community and it is really pleasing to be recognised by the professionals at Eaton Smith. I would like to thank all my clients for believing in me and for giving me the opportunity to make a difference for them.”

Tropical theme wins warm applause from judges A landscaping company created a tropical paradise for a major flower show – and came away with a top prize.

Kirkburton-based Paxman Landscapes designed and constructed the Tropical Dream Courtyard for Harrogate Spring Flower Show.

The effort impressed the judges who awarded the planted and landscaped garden a Silver-Gilt – an impressive achievement for a first-time show garden builder.

Director Justin Paxman said the company had been overwhelmed by the interest shown in his company, the skills of its workforce and its Grass Greener artificial turf product, which his company installs across the North of England and beyond.

He said: “We have made new friends, forged new partnerships, shared our skills and expertise with the gardening public and had some great fun along the way.

“Not only that, but to pick up a Silver-Gilt Award for our efforts, too, serves as praise indeed to all involved.”

The garden had an air of the tropics, scattered with ferns, climbers, bamboos, grasses and exotic plants, with

■■ Paxman Landscape’s winning garden (above) and Justin Paxman (second left)

other tropical nuances along the way.

Garden structures, lighting and a seat afforded visitors a quiet moment to reflect on the garden’s full splendour.

More than 60,000 visitors attended the four-day event – many of them enjoying a Piña Colada with the Paxman team as they celebrated the tropical theme during the show’s busiest period. Justin and his team also ran daily prize draws.

Late payment problems still a worry for small companies Small firms remain concerned about a “continuing culture” of late payment, according to research from the Forum of Private Business.

The group’s latest banking and finance survey showed that 23% of members saw an increase in late payment over the past year compared with just 3% reporting a decrease. Some 29% also saw an increase in the average number of days beyond the deadline that a payment is made late while 8% reported a decrease. Some 19% saw an increase in both elements of late payment.

While the improving economy means the number of businesses seeing late payment as a serious problem has remained stable, small businesses are still keen to see more measures to tackle the issue.

The survey showed that 39% of businesses would like to see prompt payment better promoted, while 37% would prefer to pay VAT on money that has entered their account rather than when an invoice is submitted.

Some 36% wanted to see persistent late payers barred from government

contacts.

Phil Orford, chief executive of the Forum of Private Business, said: “Improving cash flow is the likely cause for late payment issues remaining static, despite lengthening payment terms.

“However, upwards of £30bn remains tied up in late payments, costing a typical small business 130 hours a year to chase and meaning that a third are forced to seek external finance to cover the gaps in cash.

“Government is mulling over responses to a recent late payment discussion paper, which revealed ample ideas for tackling the issue in a more robust manner, including the reintroduction of compulsory reporting of company payment terms and practices and annual checks for Prompt Payment Code signatories.

“It is essential that government uses the recommendations to introduce effective measures and accepts that it not only has a responsibility to play in this area but also that its increased action can also act as an important catalyst for better payment practices.”

Gillian aims to spread the word about IT opportunities A Huddersfield businesswoman is encouraging girls to get into IT. Gillian Arnold, director of Tectre, which provides staffing and services for IT vendors and resellers as well as IBM reseller Textre Enterprise Solutions, has been selected to act as a role model to inspire other women and young girls to consider a career in IT. Gillian, whose businesses are based at Station Street, will feature in a month-long campaign which is being run by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. Gillian, who chairs BCSWomen, which is organising the campaign, said: “Women are in the minority in the IT profession, making up just 15-18% of the workforce.

This is a real issue.

“Girls and women are users and buyers of technology, they also need to realise that they can be part of the profession that creates the technology they use.

“There is a real perception issue about what a career in IT is about, so

I’m telling my story to try to show the kind of success you can have as a woman working in this field.”

Gillian will feature in the campaign alongside other influential women in IT to demonstrate the variety of roles that are open to young women.

Those who have signed up to support the campaign include entrepreneur Cary Marsh, chief executive of Mydeo; Dame Stephanie Shirley, who started her own software business in 1962 because of the dearth of opportunities for women in the profession,; Prof Dame Wendy Hall, director of the Web Science Institute at Southampton University; Maggie Philbin, chief e4xecutive of TeenTech; and technology broadcaster and journalist Kate Russell.

Gillian said: “We’re delighted to have the support of so many other influential women in IT. It’s vital that we show more young women what an amazing career IT offers. “ Go to www.bcs.org

6

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

Tenant demand its new high for offices and industrial sites Tenant demand for commercial property has hit new heights, according to a survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The latest survey showed 52% more surveyors reporting higher demand from clients for space in the first quarter of the year. The increase marks six solid quarters of demand growth with the upswing particularly marked for offices and industrial real estate.

It showed that demand has risen in all regions outside London, proving that the recovery is no longer limited to the capital.

RICS data also found that fresh demand for commercial property is outstripping supply, resulting in rising rents, with surveyors reporting four quarters of declining supply as suitable commercial space is snapped up.

A net balance of 30% of surveyors reported a further drop in the availability of office space, while surveyors’ expectations for rising rents hit the highest level since before the financial crisis.

Surveyors reported 12 month rental expectations of about 4.5% for office space, with capital values expected to rise by 5 percent over the period.

Surveyors also reported sharp demand for industrial space, with reported availability falling steadily since the first half of 2012. On a 12-month view, surveyors on average are looking for rents to grow by 5.5% with capital values expected to rise by 6%.

In contrast, the outlook for the retail sector, while still improving remained less buoyant. The

net balance of surveyors reporting stronger demand for retail space was little changed from the fourth quarter of last year at 35%.

Nevertheless, available space in the sector has now slipped albeit only modestly for two consecutive quarters which helps to explain the greater expectations on the outlook for retail rents which are projected to rise by around 3 percent. Significantly, investor appetite to acquire retail space is strengthening as the economic recovery gathers pace and this has been reflected in a jump in the enquiries net balance from 38% to 54%.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: “Today’s figures show demand from occupiers for commercial space is continuing to strengthen and, offers further proof that the economic recovery is gathering traction. Although the central London market remains particularly hot, it is encouraging that demand is now also rebounding away from the capital. Moreover, there are also signs that investors are widening their horizons with enquiries to acquire real estate picking up in many parts of the country.

Colin Harrop, director of project and development services at Jones Lang LaSalle in West Yorkshire, said: “Commercial activity seems to be rising in Yorkshire and has been for some time now.

“We’re seeing strong demand for all kinds of commercial property – offices, industrial space and retail units. The recovery is taking hold and gaining momentum, and we hope to see it continue in the months ahead.”

■■ Colin Harrop (left) and Simon Robinsohn, of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Labour proposals ‘just won’t work’ A nationwide tenant eviction and referencing firm, believes Labour Party plans to cap rent increases and introduce longer term tenancies will undermine any attempts to create a more professional rental market.

Under Labour’s plans, tenants would pay a rent based on market value and a review of that rent could only be carried out once a year. At that point, landlords would be prevented from raising rents any higher than an upper

limit set by law.

The proposals would also see the introduction of three-year tenancies.

Graham Kinnear, managing director at Landlord Assist, said the planned proposal will be counterproductive and lead to an

increased shortage of quality accommodation.

He said: “In our view the proposals are simply unworkable. Most buy to let investors are primarily attracted to the sector by the lack of restrictions surrounding rent levels.”

■■ Naylor Industries has secured silver gilt Investors in People status

FOR SALE

Alexandra Mills

Bradford Road, Batley, WF17 6JA

1 Retail/Leisure Investment Opportunity 1 8,904m2 (95,842 ft2) on site of 2.8 Acres 1 Income in excess of £89,215 PAX 1 Significant Development Potential (STC) 1 Best and final offers 12 Noon, 16 June 2014 Guide Price: £675,000

walkersingleton.co.uk

01484 477600

Silver status success for firm Clayware company Naylor Industries has been awarded silver status in its investors in People certification.

The Cawthorne-based business, which draws many of its employees from Kirklees, is a leading manufacturer of building and construction products, specialist clay pipes, plastic drainage and ducting and concrete products.

Naylor, which has more than 100 years of expertise and craftsmanship, said it was committed to investing in the continuous development of its staff, technologies and in skills for the future. The company said it provided excellent career progression

opportunities, flexibility and continual training options.

Bridie Warner-Adsetts, chief operations officer, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded Silver status in our recent Investors in People certification and that our ongoing investment in our people has been recognised.”

She said the upgrade to Silver Investors in People status reflected the efforts made in employee involvement, training and communications – such as the Naylor Employee Forum – as well as its commitment to employ 2.5% of its workforce in apprenticeship positions by April, 2014.

7

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

Small builders face threat

■■ Local residents Paul Mulcock and his wife Caroline Spalding salvaging materials with Paul Charstone, Nigel Weatherall and Shaun Ruane, of PDR Construction.

Rising building costs and shortages of materials are jeopardising prospects for small and mediumsized firms in the construction sector, it is claimed.

The warning came from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) following its latest State of Trade survey for the first quarter of 2014.

Brian Berry, chief executive, said: “Rising building costs and material shortages are causing serious concern in the building industry with 80% of SME firms expecting the situation to worsen over the next six months.

“Although our latest snapshot is the fourth successive quarter show-

ing positive results for workloads, employment and enquiries this could be undermined by a spike in prices and costs.”

Mr Berry said: “Materials prices are generally around 10% higher across the board with small construction firms highlighting timber products such as sheet materials and timber fencing as being particularly expensive.

“The increase in the price of timber fencing is largely due to the severe storms that battered the UK during the winter.

“Added to this are concerns over the ready supply of particular materials such as bricks, which could

scupper the ability of SME housebuilders to plug the shortfall in housing supply – this at a time when we need to rapidly increase the number of new homes.

“Small house builders report that brick manufacturers are asking them to wait until the beginning of 2015 for new orders of bricks and our members perceive this prolonged delay to be a decision to prioritise brick orders from large house builders.

“If this problem continues, SME housebuilders may be forced to build with alternative materials such as render or risk stalling sites for the rest of this year.”

Praise for contractors Contractors demolishing buildings to make way for a proposed supermarket in Slaithwate have been handed plaudits for helping local residents.

Timbers and other material being stripped out as part of the demolition work going on in Britannia Road have been made available to anyone who can use it – much to he delight of Colne Valley resident and businessman Paul Mulcock.

The managing director of executive search and

selection firm Broadoak Solutions in Slaithwaite, asked for permission to take wood which was being skipped to help fuel his hilltop home at Pole Moor during the winter months – and was allowed to load up his 34-year-old Land Rover and trailer.

Workmen also kindly cut up the wood to make it easier to handle and transport.

Mr Mulcock said: “While not everyone is happy with the Aldi proposals, I am deeply impressed with the

professionalism of those doing the demolition and construction and sensitive to the care with which the work is being undertaken.

“Giving us free fire wood is an act of generosity and as a surrogate Yorkshireman and local businessman, I’m also happy to get something for nowt!”

The demolition is being carried out by Bristolbased Nviro Contracting Ltd while PDR Construction will build the store on behalf of Dransfield Properties, based in Barnsley.

LOT 1

120 White Lee Road

LOT 6

Batley, WF17 8AH

Detached 3 bed bungalow on good sized plot in need of full renovation.

Emley, Huddersfield, HD2 9TA

14.5 Acres grazing/agricultural land.

Guide Price: In Excess of £125,000

Guide Price: In Excess of £120,000

LOT 2

Ash Street

LOT 7

Edge Top Road, Overthorpe, Thornhill, WF12 0BG

Guide Price: In Excess of £25,000

Guide Price: In Excess of £95,000

73, 73a Stainland Road

Character stone buildings (4,629 sq ft) arranged around courtyard – residential conversion potential.

LOT 8

Greetland, HX4 8BD

Time for double celebration

Huddersfield-based Hanson Chartered Surveyors has double cause to celebrate – with two surveyors qualifying as members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Abigail Hanson, who gained a post graduate Masters degree from Sheffield Hallam University, has qualified through RICS’ graduate route.

Phil Deakin, also a Hallam graduate, has taken the professional route to qualification, having more than 10 years experience in the industry.

Both become chartered surveyors having followed RICS’s Commercial Property Pathway.

Abigail becomes fully accredited also under the RICS Valuer Registration scheme, complementing Mark Hanson and Jason Metcalfe’s existing registration.

The firm, with offices in New North Road, now boasts four qualified chartered surveyors and approaches its 25th anniversary this year in healthy shape with clients including public limited companies, developers, banks,

trusts, pension funds and public bodies.

Senior partner Mark Hanson said: “I am delighted Abigail and Phil have achieved chartered status.

“This doubles the firm’s number of qualified surveyors and emphasises our commitment to professionalism and high standards of client service. “ Clients need to know that they are being represented and are receiving advice from fully-qualified individuals backed by a firm which has a proven track record.”

Large 0.4 Acre single building plot with PP for large executive house.

Guide Price: £125,000 – £150,000

Guide Price: £45,000 – £55,000

LOT 4

28 Clough Lane

Land at Mountjoy Road

Edgerton, Huddersfield, HD1 5QQ

Vacant lock up shop plus spacious self contained maisonette over, requiring renovation – good rental potential.

■■ Abigal Hanson and Phil Deakin (front) with Jason Metcalfe (left) and Mark Hanson

The Old Fire Station

off Miln Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6HL

Three small workshops/garages totalling 2,424 sq ft close to town centre. Good rental potential.

LOT 3

Land at Windmill Hill Road

LOT 9

Mixenden, Halifax, HX2 8SN

Terraced retail unit with residential conversion potential.

Land at Town End

Almondbury, Huddersfield, HD5 8NP

Residential building land – 0.44 Acres with PP for 6 semi detached.

Guide Price: In Excess of £175,000

Guide Price: £30,000 – £40,000

LOT 5

Cemetery Lodge

Cemetery Road, Batley, WF17 8PG

Substantial Grade II Listed lodge with potential for residential conversion.

Guide Price: £75,000 – £100,000

LOT 10

Land at Station Road

Skelmanthorpe, HD8 9AU

Former council depot – 0.75 Acres.

PP submitted for 6 executive houses around a cul-de-sac development.

Guide Price: In Excess of £295,000

8

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Enterprising events at Huddersfield Uni

Phil Whaley

Returning to Yorkshire roots Grant Thornton has strengthened its Northern corporate finance advisory practice with the return of Phil Whaley.

Mr Whaley, who has been with Grant Thornton since 2002 and specialises in mergers and acquisitions, spent 10 years in Leeds before taking up posts with the firm in London and Manchester.

He returns to lead the firm’s seven-strong corporate finance advisory team in Yorkshire and the North East, which works closely with col-

leagues in the North West as part of the firm’s integrated Northern corporate finance advisory team.

Grant Thornton’s 13-strong Northern team is led by the firm’s national head of corporate finance advisory, Ali Sharifi. Picture are (front, from left) Zara Lane, Phil Whaley and Claire Davis with (back, from left) Mohammed Miah, Louis CasimirCohn, Josh McGuire, Kate Lawrenson and Stephen Leah ,of Grant Thornton’s Northern corporate finance team.

Law firm in key promotions Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith has strengthened its partnership with a series of key promotions Sandra Crichton, of the firm’s corporate and commercial team, has been promoted to partner.

Ms Crichton, who joined the firm in 1998 after graduating in Law and German from Cardiff University, deals with corporate transactional and group reorganisation work across a

broad range of sectors.

Anna Drapan, of the private client team, who specialises in advising clients on matters relating to wills, trusts and administration of estates, has been promoted to associate.

Natalie Mousavi, a personal injury lawyer; Colin Causier, also from the private client team; and Kelly Sanderson, who is a commercial property specialist, have all been promoted to senior solicitor.

Cycle team raises thousands Workers at Dewsburybased seating manufacturer Shackletons and their industry colleagues completed the 250-mile Pedal4Pounds charity bike ride from London to Huddersfield.

The team, The Clean Shaven Bikers, raised a total of £3,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Hudersfield Town Academy – and are still counting as they plan to continue fundraising

movers and shakers

throughout May to reach their target of £7,000.

Pictured (from left) are Jake Naish, CAD designer at Shackletons; Adam Critchley, lead project manager at Shackletons; Steve Pippard, managing director of the Decs Group; Simon Hough, pre-construction manager at Seddon Construction; Jason Bloom, national sales manager at Shackletons; and his son Jordan.

By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk

Huddersfield University underlined its status as Entrepreneurial University of the Year by hosting a special conference.

The university welcomed delegates from all over Europe to an event held as part of the Entrepreneurial University Leaders Programme.

A packed day of discussions was led by senior figures at Huddersfield, which is currently the Times Higher Education University of the Year and a holder of the publication’s Entrepreneurial University of the Year title.

The four-day event, which shuttled between Huddersfield and Leeds, was one of the 2014 modules in the Entrepreneurial University Leaders Programme, organised by the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE).

The aim of the programme is to emphasise the importance of entrepreneurship within the context of higher education and to learn how universities are responding to the challenge.

It was the first time that NCEE has held one of its events at Huddersfield. The university’s head of enterprise, Dr Kelly Smith, said that this was in recognition of the achievement of winning the Entrepreneurial University of the Year title.

She said the event was a great success and had attracted a large number of top university executives from throughout the UK and from Europe, particularly Scandinavia.

The event included a discussion session with the university’s vice-chancellor, Prof Bob

■■ Dr Kelly Smith (centre), head of enterprise at Huddersfield University, with NCEE programme directors Paul Coyle and Gay Haskins

Cryan, and a dinner held at its 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, which supports businesses and student start-ups.

Other sessions featured contributions from the university’s director of estates and facilities Colin Blair; its deputy director of finance Paul Cropper; and its director of international development Andrew Mandebura.

A session on entrepreneurial initiatives at Huddersfield was led by Stephen Boyd, head of careers and employability, with contributions from academic staff, including Liz Dobson, senior lecturer in music technology.

Prof Liz Towns-Andrews, director of research and enterprise, and Dr Barry Timmins, head of business development, led a discussion on research, enterprise and business development at the university.

The NCEE is running three modules in its 2014 Entrepreneurial University Leaders Programme.

The first took place in January at the Oxford University.

The module at Huddersfield event will be followed in July by a session at the London headquarters of Universities UK.

Wilma ensures employers play a part

The head of accountancy at Huddersfield University is to take up a national role.

Wilma Teviotdale (pictured) has been invited by he Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) to join the national review panel that revises the benchmark statements for the subjects of accounting and finance.

The panel – which is expected to complete its work within six months – has already convened for a first meeting, at which Ms Teviotdale helped to achieve greater input from employers.

She agreed to ask her business connections to ensure that representatives of accountancy firms and financial practitioners working

in industry would make a contribution to the new benchmarks. She has succeeded in co-opting four industry experts to support the QAA’s work.

“The University of Huddersfield lays stress on the employability of graduates and it is vital that work skills are embedded in all courses,” said Ms Teviotdale, who practised as a chartered accountant, working for a large international firm, before joining the university.

A member of several professional organisations, she recently served as president of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants, one of the largest regional bodies of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW), which is represented

on the QAA panel. She will continue her professional work as an elected ICAEW council member, representing more than 5,500 chartered accountants in West Yorkshire.

When the new Accountancy and Finance benchmark statements are finalised, they will influence the curriculum for degree courses throughout the UK. “It will be a revision of the existing standards,” said Ms Teviotdale.

“We are not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but we need to be very clear that we are recognising not just the techni- ■■ Wilma Teviotdale, head of cal skills that people need in accountancy at Huddersfield accounting and finance, but their University employability as well.”

Recruitment agency makes key appointment Brighouse-based international recruitment agency Transline Group has appointed Sean Woodhouse as financial controller.

Huddersfield man Mr Woodhouse has extensive previous experience of manufacturing with

roles at Keighley-based Platinum Stairlifts and at Lepton-based Reliance Precision, which makes and distributes electro-mechanical components and sub-assemblies for the medical, scientific, aerospace and defence industries.

In his new post. Mr Woodhouse will be responsible for supporting the finance director through a wide range of responsibilities. He comes to the role with more than 15 years experience in finance, having started out as a trainee accountant after his A-levels.

His appointment comes at the end of an eventful year for Transline, which enjoyed a significant increase in turnover for the group due to international expansion and marked the most lucrative 12 months in the company’s history.